The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce today launched a new development partnership. Partnership Grand Strand is the latest approach brought by the Chamber Foundation.
MBACC says it is a product of the new Chamber Foundation. MBACC President Karen Riordan described it as a catalytic economic growth initiative to accelerate Horry County economic prosperity and enhance the quality of life for all businesses and residents across Horry and Georgetown Counties.
Coastal Carolina University President Michael T. Benson and Clay Brittain provided the inaugural address. Noticeably absent from attending were Better Brands owner, and Myrtle Beach Mayor, Brenda Bethune. Oddly, no key leaders of Burroughs and Chapin were present either.
Burroughs and Chapin owns the Oceanfront land on 10th to 8th Avenues that will be a vital piece in any downtown redevelopment effort.
The partnership is also focused on revitalizing the Myrtle Beach Downtown area and will focus on four challenges:
1) Prosperity – Diversify our economy and grow small businesses
2) Talent – Attract, develop and retain talent in the area. Young talent will be a key focus.
3) Place – Support revitalizing Myrtle Beach downtown and the Oceanfront Area.
4) Infrastructure – scale up our transportation infrastructure through a coming ballot referendum called RIDE IV.
The Chamber has been working on this project behind the scenes for the past two years raising $1.6 million and today made this new partnership publicly known.
The Chamber indicated it would support the Myrtle Beach Downtown Development Alliance on various projects that are aimed at making Myrtle Beach an attractive place to do business.
The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is also working to help the Myrtle Beach Downtown Development Alliance attract new businesses, develop new projects and promote the area.
Partnership Grand Strand is now formulating a sustainable plan for downtown development by promoting its retail, entertainment, and cultural assets.
As part of the initiative, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce stated that the Interstate 73 project will help spur economic growth in the Myrtle Beach area.